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By Lucille Lamb


When someone has a missing single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants may be the best solution. A small steel post is implanted in the patient's jaw bone, and then a prosthetic tooth is secured onto it. In order to determine if they are good candidates for dental implants Los Angeles patients can consult a dentist.

There are three separate components in such a restoration, which together function in the same capacity as a natural tooth and root system. The metal implant is first surgically placed in the jaw, then an attachment called an abutment is secured onto it, and finally a porcelain or composite crown is attached either with a screw or dental cement.

In order for this procedure to be effective, there must be sufficient bone in the jaw and it needs to be strong enough to hold the implant in place. To determine if this is the case, the dentist will examine the patient's mouth, make some impressions, and take some x-rays and possibly a CT scan. If there is not enough bone, the dentist will discuss options to remedy this such as augmentation or grafting.

It may take a few months to one year to completely finish the installation of implants. This mainly depends on whether they are being placed in the upper or lower jaw, and if a one or two-stage installation technique is being used. In the two-step procedure, the steel post is first implanted in the patient's jaw in the first operation, and in the second one a metal abutment is added. Some dentists prefer a procedure which involves all work being done at once.

If the patient does have sufficient bone, they will undergo surgery to drill small holes into the jaw bone and place the titanium posts into them. Normally this procedure is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist. In 4-7 months, the second step will be done.

The patient needs to wait before undergoing the second stage in this process because the implant and bone must fuse together and fortify so it can support the crown. The next procedure involves attaching an abutment, or tiny metal collar is secured to the post which serves the purpose of separating the implant from the gums. Sometimes it is removed after several days, other times it is left in place.

Some dentists use a technique in which the abutment remains as part of the implant and the temporary crown is attached onto it. Other times, there is no abutment, rather the dentist affixes the crown directly onto the steel post. The purpose of using a temporary crown is that it prepares the implant for the permanent one and permits healing of the gum tissue before the permanent one is placed in about 4-6 weeks. Impressions are used to custom-build these crowns.

Implants require the same oral hygiene as natural teeth, brushing and flossing. At first the patient will need to see the dentist every 3 months, but eventually this will be reduced to every six months. In most cases involving dental implants Los Angeles patients will be pleased with the results and can expect them to last as long as 25 years.




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